Durham Set to Host a Crucial Women’s Volleyball Match
Durham, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Eagles women’s volleyball team is preparing for its final regular season match against South Carolina State University (SCSU). The game is scheduled for Friday, November 15, at 6 p.m., in the Dukes Gymnasium located in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
NC Central’s Recent Performance
The Eagles currently hold a record of 6-18 overall and 4-9 in the MEAC. Last weekend, they faced Delaware State on November 8, where they were swept 3-0. Despite the loss, NCCU’s Tayah Little made an impressive showing with 11 kills and a hitting percentage of .524.
On their Senior Day, the Eagles competed against UMES but were unable to secure a victory, falling 3-1. The match was marked by strong performances from Kamren Harper, who registered 23 kills, while Bella Dearinger contributed with 52 assists. Gabriela Felix-Baeza also stood out with 21 digs.
Currently, NCCU ranks 64th in the nation for team attacks per set with an average of 36.40. Key players include Bella Dearinger, who is second in the MEAC with an average of 8.46 assists per set and leads in total assists with 111. Harper ranks fourth in the conference for kills per set, averaging 3.14.
South Carolina State’s Challenges
On the other hand, South Carolina State is having a rough season, holding a record of 3-21 overall and 1-12 in the MEAC. They were swept in both matches last weekend, facing UMES and Delaware State.
The Bulldogs were led by Xaria Pickett, who recorded eight kills and Kaia Barnett, who provided 16 assists in the match against UMES. The following match against DSU saw similar results, with Pickett contributing the same number of kills, while Barnett assisted on 22 points.
In their previous encounter with NCCU, Pickett managed nine kills and Barnett had 18 assists, though the Bulldogs ultimately fell 25-16, 25-19, 25-20. Currently, SCSU’s statistical leaders include Pickett with an average of 2.84 kills per set and Barnett, averaging 6.45 assists per set.
Looking Ahead
The Eagles have demonstrated a consistent advantage over SCSU in recent years, maintaining a series lead of 27-9 since 2007 and have not lost against the Bulldogs since 2015. This upcoming match presents an opportunity for NCCU to finish the regular season on a high note.
As the teams prepare to face each other once again, both sides will be looking to improve their standings and build momentum heading into the postseason. For more information on NCCU Athletics, fans can visit the NCCU Eagles Athletics website or download their dedicated app.
